Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-01
THE GOLDEN CALF.

Hes the incarnation OF fat dividends.
us he so very rich>''
Rolling in money-night buy up hal
the city, they say
And really, nowI come TO look at him
not bad looking man" murmured tn
countess, focusing the gentleman unde
discussion with very effective doubl
eye glass.
Geraldine, my love, that is Mr.. Opt
mus Cold over there in the doorway"
The beautiful Geraldine turned yer,
naughty head and gave scornful littl,
laugh.
And who, pray, mamma, is Mr. Opt
mus Codds''
The young man standing between the
two ladies looked steadily at the beautiful
young lady in diaphanous white tulle
saying:
lille is the Golden Calf of this year.
Lady Geraldine. You will soon know him
by sight. He is making his mark in So
clety. he has asked to be presented to
You. Lady unfreville, have / your per-
| mission."
The countess smiled a gracious consent
Oh Mr.. Rupert Paulet. She at once alb
solved this pennjless detrimental who had
been hanging about her sacrif1cial lamb
TOO closely of late, for his past offenses.
1t was such very desirable matter to get
| hold of this millionaire stOckbroker at an
early part of his career.
Alr. OptimuS Codd in his own sphere
was man OF mark. People in the city
pointed at him respectfully as the pos
SCISSOR OF untold wealth; but it had only
| recently entered the mind of this enter
prlsing operator TO make an effort TO en-
| ter fashionable society. This great man
for he was very great in the realms Of
| stocks and 'che things that are ALWAYS
going up and down in the city'-had re-
Gently purchased house in MAYFAIR.
where he gave most recherche banquets.
He had also cOntrived to be elected to two
or three good clubs. In consequence So
ciety was making inquiries about him,
and using every endeavor to substantiate
the rumOrs Of his enormous wealth Doors
could not be shut upon an absolute
Cr9sus. In exterior the gentleman who
was the object Of so many attentions was
not at all prepossessing, in spite of Lady
Umfreville's charitable verdict He had
q good natured, ia. face, with no salient
features, and reddish hair Of refractory
nature His small gray eyes had, how
ever, at times singularly keen and acute
regard. Such eyes might fathom a good
deal Of humbug. He dressed well and
wore NO jewelry, bearing the manner and
voice of gentleman. His discretion
showed itself in nothing more than in his
ability to keep silence about himself and
others.
When Mr.. Codd slowly made his way
across the ballroom toward the striking
group near the conservatory he was the
object of many regards After the Hon
orable Rupert had presented his friend in
due form to the stately countess and her
lovely daughter, he remained few min
utes in conversation with the party, finally
offering his arm 10 convey her ladyship to
supper She gave an anxious backward
look toward Lady Geraldine and the
handsome young man left near her. It
was unavoidable; the only thing to be
done was to put her wits together and
make the most Of the present opportu-
nifty.
'You have a box at the opera, believe,
Mr. Codd' We IRE so anxious 70 hear
Patti Oh her first night"
This was an audacious opening, but the |
countess being poor and widow, never |
finched before an attempt Of this sort. |
Quaintances.
Il shall be delighted If you will ac-
cept my box for that evening" was the |
natural rejoinder from one unused To i'm |
pecunious countesses.
Lady UmfreyiIle went away smiling /
that evening and thankfully felt that her |
labor and Geraldine's new dress had not |
been in vain.
4. a
been invited TO partake Of various small /
very srnall-forms Of hospitality at
Princes gate. Little teas and light |
Iuncheons might bring young people to
yether quite as advanta2eously as more /
costly entertainments. Her ladyship was
! skilled matchmaker Two daughters
lad already been disposed Of in their first
season. But this was now Lady Gerald
mes second year in the market she WAS
certainly more difficult to manage than
he docile elder sisters had been Sdll,
LADY UmfreviIle did not despair of set
ling her this season June had only Just
,egun. There was q fourth girl coming
n shortly. Lady Margaret was ssiil In |
he schoolroom. though fully entitled to
,e enlancipated, and she was spirited
7oung lady who might be more difficult
o control than all her predecessors.
''what Is he Ike, jerry / mean the
ity man that every one is talking about
know mamma thinks you have captiva-
ed him You might bring him up 20 the
choolroom for my inspection some day.
Pretend you want TO show him your
lrawings-
II should Ike TO see stock broker.
lis name has very f3shlike Euaell Fancy
,eing Lady Geraldine Coddl Does he look
Ike gentIemas2 Don't you think you
lad better turn him over 10 me, JerrysF'
Here the lively Lady Margaret began
ancing about the room -Shan't have
fine time Of il when come ont, mean
o make up for being kept back year.
You see you must lie out ~ the way,
erry. You are 30 very good looking +"
Lady Geraldine answered smiling: do
e sensible, Maggie, and I'll tell you al
bout Nr. optimns Codd Well he's
ather fat and not gos any particular ex-
ression, but I think he's yeTy good
atursd Irea11y think like hfm, ard